Title: Cannabinoids in Late-Onset Alzheimer’s disease

Authors: Amir I.A. Ahmed, MD1,2,3; Marjolein A. van der Marck, Ir, PhD2; Geke A.H. van

den Elsen2,4, MD and Marcel G.M. Olde Rikkert, MD, PhD2,4

1
Department of Psychogeriatric Medicine, Vincent van Gogh Institute, Venray, the

Netherlands.
2
Department of Geriatric Medicine, Radboud Alzheimer Centre, and Radboud Institute for

Health Sciences, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.

3
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Radboud university medical center,

Nijmegen, the Netherlands.

4
Donders Institute for Brain Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud university medical center,

Nijmegen, the Netherlands.

Corresponding author:

Amir I.A. Ahmed, MD

Consultant in Geriatric Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology

Department of Psychogeriatric Medicine, Vincent van Gogh Institute

Overloonseweg 4, 5804 AV Venray, the Netherlands

Tel.: +31478-527527; fax: +31478-786242

E-mail address: [email protected]

Number of references: 75; Number of tables: 1; Number of figures: 0

Key words: Late-onset Alzheimer’s disease, older people, cannabinoids, endocannabinoid

system, safety, pharmacokinetics

This article has been accepted for publication and undergone full peer review but has not been
through the copyediting, typesetting, pagination and proofreading process which may lead to
differences between this version and the Version of Record. Please cite this article as an
‘Accepted Article’, doi: 10.1002/cpt.117

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Abstract

Given the lack of effective treatments for late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (LOAD) and the

substantial burden on patients, families, healthcare systems, and economies, finding an

effective therapy is one of the highest medical priorities. The past few years have seen a

growing interest in the medicinal uses of cannabinoids, the bioactive components of the

cannabis plant, including the treatment of LOAD and other physical conditions that are

common in older people. Several in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that

cannabinoids can reduce oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and the formation of amyloid

plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, the key hallmarks of LOAD. Also, in population-based

studies, cannabinoids reduced dementia-related symptoms (e.g., behavioral disturbances).

The current article provides an overview of the potential of cannabinoids in the treatment of

LOAD and related neuropsychiatric symptoms in older people. We also discuss the efficacy,

safety and pharmacokinetics of cannabinoid-based drugs in older people with dementia.

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1. INTRODUCTION

Demographic changes and the rapid aging of the population worldwide will lead to an

increase in the prevalence of older people with late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (LOAD), many

of whom suffer from multi-morbidity [1, 2]. The term LOAD refers to Alzheimer’s disease

diagnosed at or after 60 years of age [1]. Given the substantial burden of LOAD on patients,

their caregivers, and the economy, finding an effective therapy is one of the highest medical

priorities of scientists, clinicians, and governments. The past few years have seen a growing

interest in the medicinal uses of cannabinoids, the bioactive components of the cannabis plant

(Cannabis sativa L.), including the treatment of LOAD and other physical conditions that are

common in older people [3-5]. The current review provides an overview of the potential of

cannabinoids as treatment for LOAD and its related symptoms, focusing on older individuals

(≥ 65 years). The focus on older individuals is for a number of reasons. (1) The prevalence of

dementia caused by LOAD is high in older age groups (about 95% of all cases), whereas

early-onset Alzheimer's disease with an onset between 30 and 64 years is rare (< 5%) and

often linked to familial Alzheimer's disease, which is associated with a different

pathophysiological mechanism and is caused by gene mutations on chromosomes 21, 14, and

1. (2) Older individuals, and especially those with cognitive impairment, have often been

excluded or underrepresented in clinical trials [3, 5], and it is not possible to directly

extrapolate safety and efficacy data for cannabinoid-based drugs obtained in studies involving

young adults to older people. (3) Older people with LOAD are more vulnerable to adverse

drug reactions, and especially to drugs that act on the central nervous system, such as

cannabinoids, than healthy older or younger people [6]. This is because of age-related

physiological changes (e.g., decrease in liver enzyme activity, lean body mass, renal

clearance, and brain volume/receptors) that often alter the pharmacokinetics and

pharmacodynamics of drugs [6]. And (4) comorbidity is also more common in older people

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with dementia than in their non-demented counterparts [2], leading to the use of multiple

medications and to an increased risk of drug-drug and drug-disease interactions. As it is

possible that older people with Alzheimer's disease and multiple comorbidities might benefit

from the use of cannabinoids as multitarget drug candidate (one drug for several conditions),

we reviewed the literature on the potential of cannabinoids in the treatment of dementia and

dementia-related symptoms in older people.

2. LATE-ONSET ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

2.1. PREVALENCE & PATHOPHYSIOLOGY

It is estimated that, 36 million people suffer from dementia worldwide. This number is

expected to reach 115 million people by 2050, causing a major public health problem with an

immense impact on individual patients, their families, healthcare systems, and economies [1].

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, accounting for 60% to 80% of

cases, followed by vascular dementia (10% to 15%) [7]. In the United States alone, the

prevalence of LOAD has been estimated at 5 million individuals aged 65 years and older,

with at least 200,000 (4%) individuals younger than 65 years being affected by young-onset

Alzheimer’s disease (YOAD) [7]. Alzheimer’s disease in general is a progressive,

neurodegenerative disease that is characterized by a decline in cognitive and intellectual

functions (e.g., memory, executive function, language, and perceptual-motor skills) that

significantly interferes with activities of daily living [8]. The clinical picture is, however,

more complex and frequently involves behavioral and psychological changes,. Although its

incidence and prevalence increase with advancing age, LOAD is not a normal part of aging

[7]. LOAD is probably a complex, multicausal syndrome in which component causes, such as

genetic, epigenetic, and late-onset environmental factors, increase the likelihood of an

individual developing LOAD [8].

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In general, the brains of patients with Alzheimer’s disease are characterized by the

accumulation of amyloid-β protein (Aβ; mainly Aβ1–42 and Aβ1–40) in extracellular senile

plaques in various brain regions, but especially in the hippocampus, cerebral prefrontal cortex,

and amygdala [9]. Aβ protein is generated by the aberrant processing of amyloid precursor

protein, a single-pass transmembrane glycoprotein. The second pathological hallmark of

Alzheimer’s disease is the presence of intracellular neurofibrillary tangles, formed by

hyperphosphorylated tau [9].

It has been suggested that neuroinflammation and oxidative stress play an important role in

the pathogenesis of LOAD [10], although there are still important missing links in our

understanding of Alzheimer’s disease, especially LOAD. The accumulation and aggregation

of senile plaques into toxic oligomers in the brain leads to the chronic activation of microglial

cells and astrocytes, which surround the plaques, thereby initiating a pro-inflammatory

cascade and oxidative stress that result in the release of potentially neurotoxic substances,

such as cytokines, chemokines, reactive oxygen/nitrogen species, complement proteins, and

various proteolytic enzymes. This process leads to local inflammation and neuronal death,

which subsequently lead to cognitive decline and behavioral changes [10]. Also,

mitochondrial dysfunction has been shown to play a key role in LOAD [11]. Aβ accumulation

inhibits integrated mitochondrial respiration and the activity of key enzymes [11]. This may

result in increased oxidative stress, the production of reactive oxygen species and damage to

different molecules including nucleic acids, proteins and lipids, and endoplasmic reticulum-

related protein defolding [11]. Moreover, intracellular Aβ accumulation contributes to the

dysregulation of intracellular calcium homeostasis and excessive activation of the N-methyl-

D-aspartate (NMDA) subtype of glutamate receptor, inducing excitotoxicity and neuronal

death [12].

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2.2. TREATMENT OF LATE-ONSET ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

In general, the progression and treatment of LOAD do not differ from young-onset

Alzheimer’s disease. The progression of Alzheimer’s disease from early stages of the disease

(asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic) to dementia stages (symptomatic) may take

decades. Therefore, successfully targeting the neuropathology of Alzheimer’s disease in an

early stage would help diminish the burden of dementia and its associated neuropsychiatric

symptoms. However, currently approved pharmacological treatments for Alzheimer’s disease,

which include cholinesterase inhibitors (donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine) and the

NMDA-receptor antagonist memantine, act on symptoms and do not have profound disease-

modifying effects . A Cochrane meta-analysis of thirteen randomized, double-blind, placebo-

controlled trials with donepezil, rivastigmine, and galantamine demonstrated that the three

cholinesterase inhibitors are efficacious for mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease, but it is not

possible to identify patients who will respond to treatment in advance [13]. While the three

cholinesterase inhibitors appear to be equally effective, donepezil appears to give rise to fewer

side effects than rivastigmine [13]. However, the tolerability of galantamine and rivastigmine

(oral form) can be improved to match that of donepezil if the drugs are administered

according to a gradual titration routine over more than 3 months. Donepezil dose titration is

more straightforward and lower doses may be effective [13]. Rivastigmine is currently also

available as a transdermal patch (Exelon® patch, Rivastach® patch, Prometax® patch), which

is associated with better patient satisfaction, tolerability, and compliance compared with the

oral formulation [14].

In the past decades, several attempts have been made to develop disease-modifying drugs for

Alzheimer’s disease. One of the most innovative is the development of immunotherapy, based

on the stimulation of amyloid plaque clearance from Alzheimer brains via the administration

of Aβ antigens (active vaccination) or anti-Aβ antibodies (passive vaccination). The first in

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vivo immunization study was reported in 1999 by Schenk et al. [15]. They demonstrated that

immunization of transgenic mice with Aβ1–42 prevented the development of beta-amyloid-

plaque formation, neuritic dystrophy, and astrogliosis in young mice (with YOAD) and

significantly reduced the extent and progression of Alzheimer’s disease-like pathology in

older mice (with LOAD) [15]. On the basis of these results and those of a phase 1 safety

study, a follow-up multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, phase 2 double-blind clinical

trial was carried out involving patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease [16, 17].

Patients were randomly assigned to receive intramuscular injections of AN1792 (aggregated

Aβ1–42 and an immune adjuvant, QS-21) or placebo. Unfortunately, the trial had to be

abandoned as 18 (6%) of the 298 included patients developed meningoencephalitis [16, 17].

Sixteen of the 18 had received two doses, one had received one dose, and one had received

three doses of the study drug before symptoms occurred [16]. This severe side effect was

caused by an inflammatory T cell response. Post-mortem analysis of the brains of participants

with Alzheimer's disease showed that the AN1792 vaccine had significantly reduced the

number of amyloid plaques compared with placebo [18]. However, the progression of

cognitive decline was unchanged and did not correlate with clearance of amyloid plaques,

which suggests that plaque clearance is not enough to counter the progression of Alzheimer's

disease [18]. Since then, several attempts have been made to develop safe and effective drugs,

but none have proven effective in phase 3 clinical trials involving patients with mild-to-

moderate disease [19]. Causes and factors associated with this failure include the use of

inadequate biological and neuropsychological markers for the diagnosis of LOAD, inability to

reach a therapeutic dosage (e.g., due to severe adverse events), short treatment duration, poor

penetration to the brain, and advanced disease stage [19]. The data of phase 3 studies suggest

that mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease has already progressed too far for treatment to be

effective in improving neuronal and synaptic damage [19, 20].

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It is important to note that since the neuropathology of LOAD involves multiple hallmarks, it

is reasonable to assume that a treatment strategy focusing on multiple targets may be more

beneficial than a strategy focusing on one target only.

2.3. TREATMENT OF NEUROPSYCHIATRIC SYMPTOMS OF LATE-ONSET

ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

Almost all patients with LOAD (98%) develop neuropsychiatric symptoms at some point

[21]. These symptoms include depression, anxiety, agitation, aggression, wandering, pacing,

sleep disorders, psychosis, and appetite/eating disorders and are often distressing to patients

and their caregivers, leading to early nursing home placement [22]. Moreover, they are

associated with more rapid dementia progression and higher healthcare costs [23, 24]. An

earlier study showed that approximately 30% of the total annual cost of Alzheimer’s disease

treatment is directly attributable to the management of neuropsychiatric symptoms [24].

Therefore, effective treatment of the neuropsychiatric symptoms of LOAD may have the

potential to modify the disease course, lower costs, and improve the quality of life of affected

individuals and their caregivers. Yet no drugs have been approved by either the U.S. Food and

Drug Administration or the European Medicines Agency for the treatment of the

neuropsychiatric symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Studies of the cholinesterase inhibitors

donepezil, rivastigmine, and galantamine reported modest or no improvement in

neuropsychiatric symptoms [25]. Also, the NMDA-receptor antagonist memantine did not

improve agitation compared with placebo in patients with moderate-to-severe Alzheimer’s

disease (n=149)[26]. Psychotropic medications, such as antipsychotics, benzodiazepines,

antidepressants, and antiepileptic drugs, are also frequently used off-label for the treatment of

the neuropsychiatric symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, but they are ineffective in most cases

or only have a short-term effect [27]. Moreover, they are associated with serious adverse

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events in older individuals, including falls [28], cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events

[29], and even death [30].

Taken together, there is an urgent need for new effective and safe pharmacological

interventions to retard LOAD progression toward dementia (symptomatic) and diminish the

burden of neuropsychiatric symptoms.

3. THE ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM AS MULTI-TARGET DRUG CANDIDATE

3.1. BACKGROUND

In the past decade, the medicinal use of cannabis has moved to the forefront of public and

scientific debate, and the past few years have seen a growing interest in its medical

applications in older people, including those with Alzheimer’s disease and multiple co-

morbidities [3-5]. This is not surprising, because the cannabis plant (Cannabis sativa L.) has

been used for centuries to treat a wide range of conditions that are common in older people

(e.g., pain, depression, sleep disturbance and loss of appetite) [31]. These broad therapeutic

applications are due to the pharmacological effects of its bioactive components, the

“cannabinoids” [32]. Currently, more than 60 different cannabinoids have been identified and

isolated from the cannabis plant, with delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol

(CBD) being the most studied [32]. Although the exact mechanism of action and the

physiological effects of cannabinoids are still not fully understood, THC appears to be

responsible for most of the physical and psychoactive effects of cannabis [32]. Cannabinoids

exert some of their multiple effects through an interaction with the endocannabinoid system.

This system consists of cannabinoid receptors, endogenous lipid ligands (endocannabinoids)

including N-arachidonoylethanolamine (anandamide) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG),

and enzymes (e.g., fatty acid amide hydrolase and monoglyceride lipase) involved in the

synthesis and degradation of these endocannabinoids [33]. Cannabinoids bind to the

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cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2, both of which are G-protein-coupled receptors [34-36].

CB1 receptors are mainly expressed in the nervous system (basal ganglia, cerebellum,

hippocampus, hypothalamus, and dorsal horn), whereas CB2 receptors are primarily found in

cells and organs of the immune system [34-36]. However, cannabinoids also exert effects by

interacting with other cannabinoid receptors in the brain such as GPR55 receptors, and non-

cannabinoid receptors such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors alfa and gamma

(PPARα and PPARγ), transient receptor potential vannilloid-1 (TRPV1) channels,

acetylcholine, dopamine, serotonin, gamma-aminobutyric acid, glutamate, norepinephrine,

prostaglandins, and opioid peptides [37]. This broad interaction reflects the potential of

cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system as multi-target drug candidates for LOAD [4].

3.2. THE ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM IN AGING AND ALZHEIMER BRAINS

The endocannabinoid system has been associated with several pathological conditions and

processes in aging, including synaptic plasticity (learning and memory), neuroinflammation

and neurodegeneration, behavior and mood disorders, regulation of the wake-sleep cycle,

immune function, inflammatory diseases, physiological homeostasis, cardiovascular function,

bone development and density, pain, motor alterations, and regulation of food intake and

energy balance [38]. In this respect, it is important to distinguish between age-related and

LOAD-related changes in the endocannabinoid system before it can be considered as a

therapeutic target for LOAD. Unfortunately, there have been only a few studies investigating

possible age- and Alzheimer’s disease-related changes in the endocannabinoid system. One of

the few such studies reported a significant decrease in cannabinoid receptor binding in various

brain regions (cerebellum, cerebral cortex, limbic and hypothalamic structures, and

hippocampus) in aged rats compared with young rats [39]. In another study, receptor binding

was decreased in most regions of the basal ganglia in aged rats, except for the globus pallidus,

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where binding levels were similar in both aged and young rats [40]. The greatest decrease was

found in the entopeduncular nucleus (50%), substantia nigra pars reticulata (45%), and lateral

caudate putamen (29%). With aging, brain cannabinoid CB1 receptor density in the

hippocampus also decreases (30%) [41].

While the endocannabinoid system may be influenced by Alzheimer-type neurodegeneration,

it is not clear whether these changes are a cause or a consequence of LOAD, and whether

these changes are dependent or independent of normal age-related changes. Post-mortem

studies of Alzheimer brains have reported contradictory results regarding the expression and

density of cannabinoid receptors [42-49]. While the majority of studies found no changes in

the expression and availability of CB1 receptors in Alzheimer brains compared with control

brains [42-45], some studies reported a decreased expression of CB1 receptors in Alzheimer

brains, mainly in neurons distant from senile plaques [46, 47]. One study failed to distinguish

between age- and Alzheimer’s disease-related changes in CB1 receptor expression [48]. A

decreased level of CB1 receptors in the brain may alter the pharmacodynamic effects of

exogenous cannabinoids in people with LOAD, because the effects of cannabinoids are

mainly mediated by CB1 receptors.

4. CANNABINOIDS IN LATE-ONSET ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

4.1. IN VITRO AND IN VIVO STUDIES

Targeting the endocannabinoid system has been proposed as a potential approach to the

treatment of Alzheimer’s disease [46, 49-51]. Numerous in vitro and in vivo studies have

demonstrated the protective effects of cannabinoids against beta-amyloid peptide and tau

phosphorylation, the neuropathological hallmarks of the disease [ 46, 49-51].

The endogenous cannabinoids N-arachidonoylethanolamine and 2-arachidonylglyceryl have

been found to cause a concentration dependent inhibition of Aβ neurotoxicity, through the

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activation of the CB1 receptor and mitogen-activated protein kinases pathways, that regulate

cell function (e.g., cell growth, mitosis, survival, and apoptosis) [52]. Another study

demonstrated that the administration of N-arachidonoyl-(2-methyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) amine

(VDM11), a potent cannabinoid reuptake inhibitor, to rats improved Aβ-induced neuronal

damage and memory impairment. These positive effects were dependent on early

administration of VDM11, which suggests that early pharmacological enhancement of brain

cannabinoid levels may protect against Aβ neurotoxicity [53]

Ramírez et al. reported that intra-cerebroventricular administration of the synthetic

cannabinoid WIN55,212-2 to rats prevented Aβ-induced microglial activation, cognitive

impairment, and loss of neuronal markers [46]. The synthetic cannabinoids HU-210,

WIN55,212-2, and JWH-133 may block Aβ-induced activation of cultured microglial cells, as

judged by mitochondrial activity, cell morphology, and tumor necrosis factor-α release. These

effects seem to be independent of the antioxidant action of cannabinoid compounds and are

also exerted by a CB2-selective agonist. Moreover, cannabinoids prevent microglia-mediated

neurotoxicity after the addition of Aβ to rat cortical cultures [46]. The authors concluded that

cannabinoid receptors are important in the pathology of Alzheimer’s disease and that

cannabinoids can prevent the neurodegenerative process occurring in the disease [46].

Other positive results were obtained with exogenous cannabinoids such as cannabidiol, a non-

psychoactive cannabinoid. Cannabidiol has been proposed as an antioxidant neuroprotective

agent in neurodegenerative diseases because it inhibits in vivo β-amyloid plaque formation

and decreases reactive oxygen species production and lipid peroxidation [49]. Moreover,

cannabidiol has been shown to rescue PC12 cells, a rat pheochromocytoma cell line that is

used as model system for studying neuronal cell death, from the toxicity induced by Aβ

peptide [54]. It has also been reported that cannabidiol inhibits the hyperphosphorylation of

tau protein in Aβ-stimulated PC12 neuronal cells, by reducing the phosphorylation of

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glycogen synthase kinase-3beta (GSK-3β), which is responsible for the tau

hyperphosphorylation in Alzheimer's disease [55]. In addition, GSK-3β can block the

production of Aβ peptides by interfering with amyloid precursor protein cleavage at the

gamma-secretase step [56]. Thus, cannabidiol is an attractive drug candidate for the

management of LOAD, since it reduces the hallmarks of the disease, namely, the formation of

both amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles.

In a recent study, Martín-Moreno et al. [57] compared the effects of cannabinoids on

microglial cell function in vitro and on learning behavior and cytokine expression after the

intraventricular administration of Aβ to mice. They reported that two cannabinoids,

cannabidiol and WIN 55,212-2 (synthetic cannabinoid), were able to modulate microglial cell

functions and cytokine expression, improving the learning behavior of mice injected with Aβ

[57]. Also, Scuderi et al. (2014), in their study of whether cannabidiol could modulate

amyloid precursor protein processing in transfected human neuroblastoma SHSY5Y(APP+)

neurons, found that cannabidiol induced the ubiquitination of amyloid precursor protein,

which led to a substantial decrease in levels of the full-length protein in neurons and to a

decrease in Aβ production [58]. Moreover, cannabidiol promoted the survival of

SHSY5Y(APP+) neurons, by reducing the rate of apoptosis. All the effects of cannabidiol

were dependent on the selective activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ

(PPARγ) [58].

Eubanks et al. also pointed out the potential of another exogenous cannabinoid THC, as a new

drug candidate for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease [59]. They found THC to

competitively inhibit the enzyme acetylcholinesterase and to prevent acetylcholinesterase-

induced beta-amyloid aggregation even more effectively than acetylcholinesterase inhibitors

[59], the drugs currently registered for Alzheimer's disease.

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In a more recent study, Aso et al. (2015) [60] evaluated the therapeutic properties of Sativex®

(combination of THC/CBD) in an animal model of LOAD (AβPP/PS1 mice). These mice

exhibit the most relevant features of LOAD, such as cognitive impairment and several

pathological alterations such as Aβ accumulation, dystrophic neurites, synaptic failure,

mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress damage [60]. Intraperitoneal administration of

THC/CBD (0.75 mg/kg each for 5 weeks) significantly reduced cognitive impairment.

Moreover, it reduced levels of soluble Aβ1-42 , but not those of Aβ1-40, thereby changing the

composition of amyloid plaques in these mice. This suggests that combination treatment with

THC/CBD may be more beneficial than treatment with either agent alone.

4.2. POPULATION-BASED STUDIES

Unfortunately, there have been no population-based studies of cannabinoids as a potential

cure for LOAD. Comparing the pre-clinical and clinical data of therapeutic properties of

cannabinoids with the evidence supporting more investigated approaches for the treatment of

LOAD (e.g. cholinesterase inhibitors and the NMDA-receptor antagonist), the majority of the

evidence of cannabinoids has been based on cellular and animal models that mimic a variety

of Alzheimer’s disease-related changes. Moreover, little is known about the safety of

cannabinoids in people with LOAD. Previous epidemiological studies have shown that,

prolonged exposure to cannabinoids could increase the risk of developing psychiatric

disorders (e.g. cognitive abnormalities, psychotic illness and mood disorders), especially in

people who already have a vulnerability to develop a psychiatric syndrome [61].

Given the interesting results of cannabinoids reported in vitro and in vivo studies, population-

based studies are urgently warranted, especially sufficiently powered randomized clinical

trials that are designed to differentiate between symptomatic improvement and disease

modification.

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4.3. TREATMENT OF NEUROPSYCHIATRIC SYMPTOMS

Our literature search in PubMed (February 2015), using the terms “Alzheimer’s disease”,

“Dementia”, and “Cannabinoids”, identified one systematic review, one case report, and four

small clinical studies (out of 160 papers) on the effectiveness and safety of cannabinoids in

the treatment of people with dementia.

The systematic review (2009) included only one double-blind placebo-controlled crossover

trial [62]. According to the authors, the trial data were presented in such a way that they could

not be used for further analysis and there was insufficient quantitative data to validate the

results. Therefore, they concluded that there is no evidence that cannabinoids are effective in

the treatment of disturbed behavior or other symptoms of dementia [62].

In the case report, the synthetic THC nabilone was used in a 72-year-old man with LOAD

who had developed behavioral symptoms including wandering, pacing, disinhibition,

agitation, and aggression [63]. The patient had previously been treated with donepezil,

memantine, gabapentin, trazodone, quetiapine, olanzapine, lorazepam, and citalopram without

significant improvement. Nabilone 0.5 mg/day was started and later increased to 0.5 mg twice

daily, and led to a significant improvement in the patient’s behavioral symptoms without

emergent side effects during the 3-month follow-up [63].

The four clinical studies of the effectiveness of cannabinoids in the treatment of dementia

symptoms included in total 60 subjects, all of whom were treated with the synthetic THC

dronabinol [64-67]. Table 1 summarizes these studies. In a double-blind placebo-controlled

crossover trial [64], Volicer and colleagues included 15 institutionalized patients with

Alzheimer's disease who refused food. During the 12-week trial, the patients were randomly

assigned to placebo first (6 weeks) or dronabinol (2.5 mg twice daily) first (6 weeks). Twelve

patients (mean age 72.7±4.9; 11 men) were included in the final analysis. Trial medication

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was terminated in three participants because one developed a grand mal seizure after the first

dronabinol dose and two developed serious intercurrent infections [64]. Patients gained

weight and agitation decreased during dronabinol treatment. Compared with placebo,

dronabinol was associated with tiredness, somnolence, and euphoria [64].

In an open-label pilot study [65], Walther and colleagues evaluated the effect of dronabinol on

sleep and behavioral disturbances in six patients (mean age 81.5±6.1; four women) with

severe dementia (five with Alzheimer's disease). Participants received 2.5 mg dronabinol

daily for 2 weeks. Actigraphy and the Neuropsychiatric Inventory were used to measure the

effect of dronabinol on nocturnal motor activity and behavior, respectively. Compared with

baseline, dronabinol significantly improved nocturnal motor activity and behavior. No side

effects were observed during the study period [65].

Subsequently, Walther and colleagues started a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled,

crossover trial to further evaluate the effects of dronabinol on behavioral disturbances in

Alzheimer’s disease [66]. After the inclusion of two patients, the trial was prematurely

discontinued due to recruitment failure. The two included patients were 75- and 81-year-old

men with LOAD who had been treated with 2.5 mg dronabinol for 4 weeks for nighttime

agitation [66]. In both cases, the administration of dronabinol reduced nighttime activity and

strengthened circadian rhythms, without any adverse events [66].

More recently (2014), in a retrospective systematic chart review [67] Woodward and

colleagues evaluated the data of 40 patients with dementia (13 Alzheimer's disease; 28

women) who had been treated with dronabinol for behavioral or appetite disturbances. The

medical records of included patients were reviewed by geriatric psychiatrists to rate the

patients' behavior before and after 7 days of dronabinol treatment, using the Pittsburgh

Agitation Scale, Clinical Global Impression, and Global Assessment of Functioning [67]. In

addition, data were collected on the percentage of food consumed at each meal, sleep

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duration, and adverse events. The mean duration of dronabinol treatment was 17 days (range

4–50 days) and the mean dose was 7 mg/day. Administration of dronabinol significantly

improved scores on the Pittsburgh Agitation Scale and the Clinical Global Impression, but not

on the Global Assessment of Functioning. There were also significant improvements in sleep

duration and percentage of food consumed during active treatment. Twenty-six adverse events

were reported during dronabinol treatment, with sedation (n=9), delirium (n=4), urinary tract

infection (n=3), and confusion (n=2) being the most frequently reported. However, while it

was not possible to assess whether the reported adverse events were associated with

dronabinol, none of the adverse events led to medication discontinuation [67].

Although the findings from the above-mentioned clinical studies and case report suggest that

THC is effective and safe to use in the treatment of dementia-related symptoms in older

people, the studies had several limitations that need to be addressed. For example, the studies

were either not randomized or included a very limited number of participants (range 10–40

participants), so that the studies had insufficient power to draw firm conclusions about the

safe and effective use of cannabinoids for older people with dementia. Moreover, the THC

treatment period was too short (2 to 7 weeks). Lastly, all the studies focused on dementia-

related symptoms and did not include the assessment of memory and cognitive function as

outcome measures. It is of great importance to establish whether cannabinoids, particularly

when used long term, affect memory and cognitive functions in frail older people with

LOAD. In previous general population studies, prolonged use of cannabis was associated with

memory deficits and cognitive impairments [61]

More adequately powered randomized clinical trials are needed to confirm the findings of the

above-mentioned studies. Until then, individual evaluation of the risk-benefit ratio is needed

before cannabinoid-based drugs can be prescribed to frail older individuals with LOAD.

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5. CANNABINOIDS IN THE TREATMENT OF OTHER CONDITIONS IN OLDER

PEOPLE

5.1. CURRENT PRESCRIPTIONS

Because of the significant therapeutic potential of cannabis and cannabinoids, people aged 65

years and older probably constitute a growing population of potential users [3]. Although

there are numerous studies of the medicinal use of cannabis (marijuana, cannabinoids based-

drugs, cannabis extracts) in the general population, little known about its effect in older

people [5].

In the United Kingdom, between 1998 and 2002, 947 people reported ever having used

cannabis for medicinal purposes [68]; 14% of these individuals were older than 60 years.

Medicinal cannabis is mostly used for multiple sclerosis (12% of participants), neuropathy

(11%), chronic pain (11%), depression (8%), and arthritis (7%). In the Netherlands, where

herbal cannabis (marijuana) is available at community pharmacies, more than 5500 patients

(57% female) were prescribed herbal cannabis between 2003 and 2010 [69]. Of these, 31%

were aged between 61 and 80 years and 6% were older than 80 years, with an average

duration of use of 6 months and 3 months, respectively. Hazekamp et al. (2013) [70] recently

reported the results of an international survey on the medicinal use of cannabis and

cannabinoids in 31 countries (e.g., USA, Germany, Canada, France, the Netherlands, Spain).

Of the 953 users of medicinal cannabis (mean age 40.7 years and 64% male) who completed

the survey, 24% were aged between 51 and 60 years, 6% between 61 and 70 years, and 1%

older than 70 years. The five most reported medical conditions for medicinal cannabis use

were back pain (11.9%), sleeping disorder (6.9%), depression (6.7%), pain resulting from an

injury or accident (6.2%), and multiple sclerosis (4.1%) [70].

5.2. EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF CANNABINOID-BASED DRUGS

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There are currently, three cannabinoid-based drugs available for medical use, dronabinol,

nabilone and nabiximols. Dronabinol (Marinol®, Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Belgium) and

Nabilone (Cesamet®, Valeant Pharmaceuticals International North America, Canada) are both

synthetic THC in capsules form. They have been approved in North America and some

European countries for appetite stimulation in AIDS-related anorexia and chemotherapy-

induced nausea and vomiting. Nabiximols (Sativex®, GW Pharmaceuticals, UK) is an

oromucosal mouth spray that contains both THC and CBD (ratio: 1:1). It is used for the

symptomatic relief of neuropathic pain and muscle spasticity in patients with multiple

sclerosis and is available in 15 countries including the United Kingdom and seven other

European countries, New Zealand and Canada, but not in the USA.

Cannabinoid-based drugs that, have not yet gained marketing approval, are: 1) Namisol®

(Echo Pharmaceutical, The Netherlands), a THC-based formulation in tablet form [71]. This

drug is under investigation for the treatment of pain (multiple sclerosis, chronic pancreatitis)

and neuropsychiatric symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease (agitation/aggression); and 2)

Epidiolex® (GW Pharmaceuticals, UK) which is a CBD-based formulation that has recently

been tested in children and young adults with treatment-resistant epilepsy [72].

Several studies have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of cannabinoid-based drugs in the

treatment of different conditions that are highly prevalent in the older population, such as

pain, anorexia, and nausea and vomiting [3, 5]. While all these conditions are common in

older people, and in those with dementia, few studies reported data on older people separately

[3, 5]. Moreover, most pre-approval clinical trials of cannabinoid-based drugs excluded older

individuals (≥ 65 years) from participation or did not include sufficient numbers of older

participants to compare them with young participants [3, 5].

Recently (2014), we performed a systematic literature review to identify studies investigating

the efficacy and safety of medical cannabinoids in older subjects [5]. We found 105

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randomized clinical trials that reported the inclusion of older individuals (≥ 65 years). Of

these, only five trials reported data for older individuals separately. These trials included in

total 267 participants (mean age 47–78 years). Three trials used oral THC and two trials used

an oral combination of THC/CBD. The studies found neither THC nor THC/CBD to be

effective against dyskinesia, breathlessness and chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting.

Two studies showed that THC might be useful for the treatment of anorexia and behavioral

symptoms of dementia. Adverse events were more frequently associated with cannabinoid

treatment than with the control condition, with sedation/drowsiness being the most reported

adverse events. None of the studies reported severe adverse effects related to cannabinoid use.

Thus, for the moment, no firm conclusion can be drawn about the safety and efficacy of

cannabinoid-based drugs in older people.

In general, older people seem to be more susceptible than younger people to the effects of

drugs acting on the central nervous system. This can be explained by four important factors

[73]. (1) Age-related changes in brain volume and number of neurons, as well as alterations in

neurotransmitter sensitivity, may increase the pharmacological effect of a drug. (2) Certain

neurotransmitter receptors may be selectively affected by age-related changes at presynaptic

and postsynaptic levels. (3) Age-related changes in receptors, whether they are located at the

actual neurotransmitter binding site or within the second messenger or effector system, may

change sensitivity to the available neurotransmitter. Altered binding of the neurotransmitter to

its receptor site may affect its sensitivity to blockade by some drugs that act in the central

nervous system. (4) Altered drug disposition in older individuals generally results in a higher

concentration of psychotropic drugs at central nervous system receptor sites [73]. Moreover,

synthetic cannabinoids are lipophilic compounds, and age-related physiological changes, such

as an increase in adipose tissue and a decrease in lean body mass and total body water,

increase the volume of distribution of lipophilic drugs. In addition, age-related changes in

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hepatic function (decrease in hepatic blood flow and slow hepatic metabolism) can slow the

elimination of lipophilic drugs, which can subsequently lead to side effects.

6. PHARMACOKINETICS OF CANNABINOIDS

Relatively little is known about the pharmacokinetics of cannabis and cannabinoids in older

individuals, especially in people with LOAD. None of the preapproval clinical trials of

cannabinoid-based drugs currently available for clinical use (Marinol®, Cesamet® and

Sativex®) reported pharmacokinetic data for older individuals or people with dementia.

Moreover, the most recent studies of cannabinoid-based drugs that included older participants

without dementia did not perform separate pharmacokinetic analyses for the older subgroup

[5, 71].

Carroll et al. (2004) [74] were the first to report pharmacokinetic data for cannabinoids in

older people without dementia. They included 19 participants (12 men; mean age 67 years;

range 51-78 years) with Parkinson disease who received Cannador® (THC 2.5 mg and CBD

1.25 mg per capsule). In most patients, the maximum concentration (Cmax) of THC was

reached within 2 hours of drug administration, with levels ranging from 0.25 to 5.4 ng/mL.

There was no clear dose response. The authors did not report pharmacokinetic data for

subjects older than 65 years [74].

In our recent phase 1 study [71], we evaluated the pharmacokinetics of three oral doses of

THC (3 mg, 5 mg, and 6.5 mg) in 12 healthy older subjects (6 men; mean age 72±5 years;

range 65–80 years). One subject was not medication compliant and so the data for 11 subjects

(5 men and 6 women) were analyzed. Blood samples were collected before and at 40, 55, and

120 minutes after dosing. There was a wide inter-individual variation in plasma

concentrations of THC and its active metabolites, 11-hydroxy-delta 9-THC (11‐OH‐THC) and

11-nor-9-carboxy-delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-COOH). In one subject the THC

21

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concentration had not reached a maximum by 120 minutes after dosing with 3 mg THC, and

in four and five subjects after dosing with 5 mg and 6.5 mg THC, respectively. For subjects

for whom Cmax was reached within 120 minutes, the geometric mean THC Cmax was 1.42

ng/mL (range 0.53–3.48) for 3 mg (n=10), 3.15 ng/mL (range 1.54–6.95) for 5 mg (n=7), and

4.57 ng/mL (range 2.11–8.65) for 6.5 mg (n=6) [69]. However, as the study was initially

designed to assess the safety, not pharmacokinetics, of THC, only four blood samples were

collected over 120 minutes, which is insufficient for complete pharmacokinetic analysis [71].

In another recent study, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial [80],

we evaluated the pharmacokinetics of THC in 10 older subjects with dementia (7 men; mean

age 77.3±5.6 years; 9 Alzheimer’s disease). Subjects were randomly assigned to receive oral

THC or placebo twice daily for 3 days, separated by a 4-day washout period. The total

treatment period was 12 weeks. Patients received 0.75 mg THC twice daily in weeks 1 to 6

and 1.5 mg THC twice daily in weeks 7 to 12. The data of one participant were excluded

because insufficient blood was collected for analysis. The median time to reach Cmax (Tmax)

was 1-2 hours. THC pharmacokinetics increased linearly with increasing dose, but with a

wide interindividual variation (the coefficient of variation of the geometric mean was as high

as 140%). The mean Cmax (ng/mL) after the first dose (0-6 h) was 0.41 (0.18-0.90) for the

0.75 mg dose and 1.01 (0.53-1.92) for the 1.5 mg dose; after the second dose (6-24 h) the Cmax

was 0.50 (0.27-0.92) and 0.98 (0.46-2.06), respectively. To the best of our knowledge, this

was the first and only study to date to investigate the pharmacokinetics of THC in subjects

with dementia [75].

Understanding the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of cannabinoid-based drugs will

help clinicians to maximize the therapeutic benefits and minimize the toxic effects. Therefore,

more studies are warranted in this population, especially comparison studies with younger and

older adults.

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7. CONCLUSION

7.1. CURRENT USE AND FUTURE PROSPECTS

The great burden of LOAD and the lack of adequate therapy explain the increasing number of

studies (vitro, vivo, human) in this field of medicine. Given the complex multifactorial

pathogenesis of LOAD, the development of a drug targeting a single causal factor will be of

limited benefit to most patients. The literature consistently reports that the endocannabinoid

system is associated with LOAD, and a number of studies have shown that targeting the

endocannabinoid system offers a novel pharmacological approach for the treatment of LOAD

that may be more effective than currently available drugs. Cannabinoids can reduce oxidative

stress, neuroinflammation, and the formation of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles,

the hallmarks of LOAD. Moreover, the cannabinoid THC appears to increase the availability

of acetylcholine and prevent acetylcholinesterase-induced beta-amyloid aggregation.

Cannabinoids are interesting drug candidates for the treatment of LOAD in older people for

other reasons as well. (1) The interactions between the endocannabinoid system and other

receptors and neurotransmitters in the brain make cannabinoids not only a potential drug

candidate for LOAD, but also for other physical conditions that are common in older people.

(2) The cannabis plant is easy and cheap to cultivate, which makes cannabinoids an attractive

drug. (3) Cannabinoid-based drugs (oral and mouth spray) have recently been developed and

approved for use in a fixed dose, which makes drug delivery and dose control easier than with

the smoking route of drug delivery, especially in individuals with cognitive impairment.

In conclusion, currently available studies, both in vitro and in vivo, provide an interesting

basis for the innovative use of cannabinoids as a therapeutic approach to LOAD and other

comorbidities in older people. However, the lack of population-based studies justifies further

research, and especially adequately powered randomized controlled trials, in order to assess

23

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the safety, efficacy, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of cannabinoid-based drugs in

this frail population.

24

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33

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 Table 1: Studies published on cannabinoid-based drugs in patients suffering from behavioral disturbances in dementia

Results
Studied Drug / Treatment
Study Subjects / age Study design
indication Dosage duration
Efficacy Safety

- One dropout during THC

treatment, due to seizure
- Weight increased more with
12 AD* Dronabinol
12 weeks THC treatment than with placebo - Adverse events were more
Volicer [64] (11 men, 1 woman) Food refusal (THC)*
(6 weeks THC common during THC treatment
(1997) RCT* and disturbed
and 6 weeks - THC treatment decreased than placebo. The top 5 reported
USA Mean age 72.7±4.9 behavior 2.5 mg
placebo) severity of disturbed behavior adverse events were
(range: 65-82) twice/day
compared with placebo anxiety/nervousness, emotional
lability, tiredness, somnolence
and euphoria
6 (5 AD and 1 VaD*) Dronabinol
Walther [65] - Compared to baseline, THC
(2 men, 4 women), Nocturnal motor (THC)
(2006) Open-label 2 weeks significantly reduced nocturnal No adverse events were observed
activity
Germany motor activity and agitation
Mean age 81.5±6.1 2.5 mg/day
2 Late-onset AD Dronabinol 4 weeks
Walther [66] Agitation and - THC reduced nighttime activity
(THC) (2 weeks THC
(2011) RCT circadian and strengthened circadian No adverse events were observed
A) 75-year-old man and 2 weeks
Switzerland disturbances rhythms
B) 81-year-old man 2.5 mg/day placebo)
40 (12 men, 28
women) - THC was associated with
significant decreases in all
13 AD domains of the Pittsburgh - Twenty-six adverse events were
Dronabinol
7 VaD Mean duration: Agitation Scale. reported during THC treatment.
Woodward [67] Retrospective Behavioral or (THC)
15 AD/VaD 16.88 days The most common were: sedation
(2014) systematic appetite
1 FTD* (range 4 to 50 - There were also significant (n=9), delirium (n=4), urinary
USA chart review disturbances Mean dose
4 Dementia not days) improvements in Clinical Global tract infection (n= 3), and
7.03 mg/day
otherwise specified Impression scores, sleep duration, confusion (n= 2)
and percentage of meals
Age was not reported consumed during treatment.

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*AD: Alzheimer's disease; RCT: Randomized controlled trial; THC: tetrahydrocannabinol; VaD: Vascular dementia; FTD: Frontotemporal dementia

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